Ben Oglivie Mail-In Signing and Some Purchases

I have a big backlog of ttm requests that I hope start coming back any day now.  I've sent 25 requests this month, and not one has come back yet.  But more than half have been sent in the last 10 days, so it's not as bad as it sounds.  That's what I tell myself anyway.

I sent five cards to a Ben Oglivie signing.  He does sign ttm for free, but I wanted to send some 1972 Topps, which are high number, expensive cards.  This signing gave me more confidence that they'd be handled carefully and get signed in blue sharpie, etc.  I sent three of those cards, plus a 1972 Red Sox team card, and his 1976 Topps.

I live in a fantasy world, where players like Bernie Williams start signing after years of refusing.  Kind of like Pete Hamm.  When that happens, I'll be ready with four of these cards (I have one already signed by both Oglivie and Cey.  Maybe Steve Hovley will join Bernie at a signing some day.

I bought a couple 1972 Topps, including Leo Durocher and Jose Pagan.  I'm slowly chipping away at this set, with 189 left to acquire.

I also splurged on an Alex Rodriguez signed 2007 Topps Heritage.  I decided I should have at least one autograph of his, and this was not too bad of a deal, considering what he charges at signings.  It's also Beckett-authenticated, and has a very bold signature that I'm guessing will be graded a 10.  I wouldn't mind having him sign a 2003 Topps Heritage as well, but I've spent enough lately, and the two signings currently listed on SCN seem a bit steep to me.  I'll wait to see if there's a cheaper one.  If that never happens, it's not a big deal.

Yesterday, I sent 20 cards to a collecting buddy who submits card to Beckett for authentication.  And I'll be sending 26 cards in to a JSA/CGC authentication submission next month.  26 is an odd number, but the pricing gives a break at certain quantities, so all the cards are $2 less over a quantity of 25.